It has been six years since we’ve had anything on any screen from the mind of Charlie Kaufman. It was 2008 when he delivered “Synecdoche, New York” and since then, while the promise of this Hollywood satire/musical “Frank Or Francis” has been teased, it has yet to find the momentum or money/support to get made. But once again, television is giving someone of Kaufman’s unique talent a place to flourish. Last spring came word that over at FX, Kaufman was writing a TV series called “How And Why,” but there were few other details. But today, not only does it have stars but we now know a little of what it’s all about.
Deadline reports that Michael Cera and John Hawkes have signed on to star in the half-hour comedy show. The premise? The series will follow a man clueless about life, yet who is smart enough to explain how and why a nuclear reactor works. And yes, that is the sort of perfectly oddball logline we’d expect from Kaufman. He’ll be writing and directing the pilot episode, and executive producing too, but no word yet on if or when this will go to series. But fingers crossed everyone. (And if you need more Kaufman in your life, don’t forget he’s also co-directed the animated, Kickstarter funded animated effort “Anomalisa“).
In other TV news, from the other side of the uh, creative spectrum, Bill Paxton has joined “Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” with TV Guide reporting that he’ll play Agent John Garrett, who “comes into the fold in a very surprising way.” Yay. First look below (via ComicBookMovie)
